Edward Simmons

Eddie has an undergraduate degree in English Literature & American studies from Keele University in England (his home country), the same University from which he also gained Qualified Teacher Status and a Master’s level PGCE. He has been teaching in various roles at holistic schools both in England and the U.S ever since, and recently completed his Waldorf certification from Gradalis.

For much of his late teens and early twenties Mr. Eddie traveled to further his perspective on life and the world. Witnessing many different cultures across numerous continents- including North America, Africa and Europe- has given him a wealth of life-experience and cultural and social awareness, all of which he tries to bring into his classroom and share with his students.

His first taste of teaching came in 2010, when he taught and cared for orphans at ‘New Life Home Trust’, an orphanage based throughout Kenya. His experiences in Africa opened up his eyes to the potential of education to create lasting change. From then on he has continued to travel and work with young children and educational non-profits and finally made his way into Waldorf Education, the education he views as the answer to a brighter future for our children and our planet.

Mr Eddie has a deep reverence for the natural world. When not working he can be found hiking the trails of Sedona with daughter, writing or playing music. He had the following to say about his approach to teaching and learning:

“The 5 Cs (Compassion, Creativity, Contemplation, Connection and Collaboration) and the 5 Rs (Relationship, Realization, Respect, Reverence and Responsibility) typify my approach to teaching. When I teach I constantly try to foster a creative, contemplative and collaborative environment, where children see the topic through compassionate eyes and make connections- both of a cross-curricular nature and between the subject and their own lives.

Using the head, heart and hands and making a topic relateable while nurturing a deep relationship with (and reverence for) learning and life is hugely important to me. I see ‘learning’ not just as intellectual growth for my students, but also human, moral, spiritual and emotional growth and progression. So, respect and responsibility are central to my philosophy; I encourage my students to see that they are the future … and that together their choices and actions will change the surface of our world for the better.”

Running River School recruits and admits students of any sex, gender identity, religion, race, color, or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities. in addition, the school will not discriminate on the basis of sex, gender identity, religion, race, color, or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, scholarship/loans/fee waivers (if any offered), educational programs and/or athletics/extra-curricular activities (if any offered).